T1049 was operating the Strathpine 327 service from Toombul this morning at 7.35am this morning. (Hornibrook usually supplement their BT-leased fleet with their own buses, where necessary, so seeing a T bus was extremely unusual.)

Interestingly, the real-time information displayed T1028 as operating this service (noted on the Triptastic app).

August 9 2017 Bus driver salaries revealed as pay dispute continues .Amid bus driver strikes, free fares and enterprise bargaining agreement negotiations between bus drivers and the Brisbane City Council, it has been revealed just how much the city's bus drivers earn.The Rail, Tram and Bus Union and the council have been clashing over the rate of a pay rise to be included in the EBA, with the RTBU wanting 3.5 per cent for the next three years and an $800 signing bonus and the council refusing to budge on its offer of 2.5 per cent over the three years and a $400 bonus. Union member union bus drivers will not be accepting fares on Thursday and Friday as part of protected industrial action. Photo: Glenn Hunt Throughout the negotiations, council public transport chairman Adrian Schrinner has repeatedly said Brisbane's bus drivers were the best paid in the state, the second best in Australia, and that they should be happy with the pay offer."Obviously, if this offer that we put on the table was below inflation, the union would be right to be screaming about it," he said.Public and Active Transport chairman Adrian Schrinner said the 2.5 per cent pay increase was fair. Photo: Glenn Hunt ."But, 2.5 per cent is above inflation, it's above the cost of living increases."Cr Schrinner revealed the average salary of a Brisbane bus driver was $68,398, or $34.61 an hour.There are 16 bands of payment for bus drivers, from Trainee Level 1 through to Bus Operator 4.5."Pay ranges from the high $40,000 as a minimum starting wage and goes all the way up to the top, which is $102,000," Cr Schrinner said."Now that $102,000 is not necessarily guaranteed every year but is based on work the driver is doing."There could have been a lot of overtime involved in that, there could have been that person did lots of special events."Cr Schrinner said 660 of the 2200 bus drivers in Brisbane were at the highest pay level or Bus Operator 4.5.The latest data from the Australian Tax Office (2014-2015) revealed the average wage of a male bus driver was $52,827 while a female earned $44,089.That compared with other drivers' average salaries:•Taxi driver: $24,510 (male) or $26,893 (female) •Chauffeur / hire care driver: $42,308 (male) or $31,170 (female) •Coach driver: $49,947 (male) or $41,578 (female) •Train driver: $108,903 (male) or $92,242 (female) •Tram driver: $77,986 (male) or $67,501 (female) On Wednesday, the RTBU released a statement that said union member drivers would continue to refuse to collect fares on Thursday and Friday as part of ongoing protected industrial action."Our drivers need better protection in the workplace, rosters that don't lead to driver fatigue and the safety risks of tired drivers at the wheel, and fair pay," the statement said.Cr Schrinner said there had been progress made in the negotiation with the union on safety."The RTBU has decided and agreed that safety issues should be dealt with separately to the current industrial action," he said."So that's off the table in terms of the current industrial actions and the strikes."We've both agreed this needs to be dealt with, but not in this ultra-hot situation of industrial action. It needs to be dealt with calmly in a very practical way that would make a difference and so we've agreed to do that." RTBU secretary Tom Brown said there had been some exchanges and limited progress made in driver safety."There is still a lot of ground to be addressed to secure commitments in the agreement which are binding on the parties," he said.www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/bus ... xspo8.html, 52 comments, mainly sniping.* It's not the hourly rate, it's total salary. So perhaps females work less hours, do less special events, less night shifts etc.The article/Schrinner conveniently leaves out vital statistics like the salary distribution, centre, spread, number of hours worked etc. What the top earners (the $102,000 ones, not the $27.12/hour ones) have to do/sacrifice (i.e. work insane overtime) to get there and how many there are he also does not divulges. It is also rather interesting that the top band is on an hourly rate of $27.12 and yet the average rate is $34.61 an hour. Overtime anyone?Lies, damned lies, and (lack of) statistics. Judging by the comments below it seems his tactic is working. I still wouldn't do it: I don't like being beaten, spat on, insulted, cut off, deal with road rage, etc.

Ferry between Redcliffe and Moreton Island to be trialledRedcliffe & Bayside Herald August 29, 2017.YOU can see Moreton Island from Redcliffe, but for nearly a decade it has been difficult to connect the mainland with the island ... Until now.A new ferry service will be trialled from late next month from the Redcliffe Jetty to Bulwer.The previous barge from Scarborough to Bulwer, the Combie Trader II, ceased operation in 2008, much to the disappointment of locals, both on the Redcliffe Peninsula and on Moreton Island — and to the detriment to both local economies.The community, and one Redcliffe businessman in particular, campaigned for a barge service to be reinstated, but it hit hurdle after hurdle, mainly due to there no longer being a landing site for a barge at Scarborough — where the Combie Trader II used to land.Since 2008, passengers have had to travel about 50km to the Port of Brisbane to access Moreton Island.The old Combie Trader II leaving Scarborough for Moreton Island.This new service is not a vehicle barge, but a walk-on 22m Supercat that can carry up to 100 passengers — taking about 45 minutes to travel between the Redcliffe Jetty and Bulwer, on the northern end of Moreton Island.It will be trialled by Moreton Bay Region Industry & Tourism, a contractor of Moreton Bay Regional Council tasked with running most of the council’s events and promoting tourism and business in the region.MBRIT chief executive Shane Newcombe said long-running Redcliffe eco-cruise operator Dolphin Wild Island Cruises would operate the new service, which will be known as the Redcliffe2Moreton Express.“The Redcliffe2Moreton Express service will bring hundreds of new visitors to the region every month and drive additional overnight stays in hotel and tourism accommodation in the Moreton Bay Region,” Mr Newcombe said.The service will start as a trial — initially operating on Sundays — leaving the Redcliffe Jetty at 10am and leaving Bulwer at 3pm to return to Redcliffe at 4pm.The Bulwer Wrecks.Those already on the island can also catch the ferry to the Redcliffe Jetty about 11am and 3pm.“Together, with the support of the local community, council and businesses, we hope to expand on this weekly service, so more people can enjoy all Moreton Island has to offer,” he said.He thanked Redcliffe Labor MP and Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath, and Environment Minister, Dr Steven Miles for their support with State Government approvals.Dolphin Wild Island Cruises and Redcliffe2Moreton Express owners and operators Jim and Lisa Edwards said the new ferry service would bring the island back in reach for residents, and help to showcase the region.“Incoming visitors can check out the Redcliffe markets in the morning, grab breakfast on the Peninsula, then head across to Moreton Island for the day where they can swim, snorkel, have a picnic, and be back on the mainland in time for dinner,” Mrs Edwards said.THE TRIAL — REDCLIFFE2MORETON EXPRESS The Redcliffe2Moreton Express’ first public trip will be on Sunday, September 24. Tickets are available to purchase from August 29 at visitmoretonbayregion.com.au, or from Redcliffe Cruise & Travel in Redcliffe Pde. Ferry services will depart from the Redcliffe Jetty on Sundays at 10am, arriving at Bulwer about 11am. Ferry will depart Bulwer, Moreton Island on Sundays at 3pm, arriving at Redcliffe Jetty about 4pm. The operators are hoping to increase services as soon as possible, depending on demand.OVER THE YEARS:2017: State Government puts deadline on operator but fails to help.2017: Moreton Island barge plan stalls.2016: No landing site on mainland means barge revival looks unlikely.2015: Barge revival waiting on a landing point.2014: State Government approves barge from Peninsula.2013: Barge could be in water by 2014.2013: Momentum builds to bring back barge.2008: Combie Trader sails into sunset.What days would you like the ferry to operate between Redcliffe Jetty and Moreton Island?Every day of the week.At least Friday afternoon/night and both days over the weekend.Saturday and Sunday.Just Saturday.Just Sunday.One day during the week and one day on the weekend.Other.Vote. View Results.http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews ... c64d4464ff*They need a vehicle ferry too, I love going to Moreton Island but the high price of the vehicle ferry makes it unaffordable.